Accept a Gift in the Spirit in Which It’s Offered. (Easier Said Than Done.)

In my books The Happiness Project, and on my blog, I've written about the fact that my spiritual master is St. Therese of Lisieux, which I learned after reading her spiritual memoir Story of a Soul.

I've always been very struck by St. Therese's discussion about getting gifts. She emphasizes that we should accept a gift in the spirit in which it's offered -- and also admits why, even for her (a saint!), this is difficult.

This is the line I especially love: “for the love of God and my Sisters (so charitable toward me) I take care to appear happy and especially to be so.”

If you'd like to watch a short video of me talking about the happiness resolution of "Imitate your spiritual master," it's here: